18 Unique Recipes That Use Sauerkraut (2024)

FAQs

What can I mix with sauerkraut to make it taste better? ›

If stored in a cool, dry place, canned sauerkraut that hasn't been opened can last up to 3-5 years. Do check the expiry date printed on the can before you eat it. A bag or jar of sauerkraut that hasn't been opened can last 6-12 months. It should also be stored in a cool, dry place.

Is it OK to eat sauerkraut every day? You can eat sauerkraut every day. But if you're looking to benefit your gut bacteria, you can also eat other fermented foods and beverages like kimchi and kombucha. Yogurt also contains beneficial probiotics.

As per experts at Fermenters Kitchen, the early morning is the golden hour for sauerkraut. Why? On an empty stomach, the gut-friendly microbes in sauerkraut have a clear path to colonize your gut microbiome. They can thus foster a balanced digestive system and set a positive tone throughout the day.

Depending on your taste, onions, bacon, juniper berries, caraway, and/or cream can be added to and cooked with the Sauerkraut. In many parts of Germany, pork ribs or pork cutlets are cooked in the Sauerkraut to give it a smokey flavor. The pork absorbs the liquid and becomes very soft and juicy.

Sauerkraut can be added to soups and stews; cooked with stock, beer or wine; served with sausages or salted meats, and is especially good with smoked fish, like hot-smoked salmon.

It's not necessary to rinse, unless you prefer it that way

It's this very potency that makes sauerkraut what it is, which is why LiveStrong explains that you probably shouldn't rinse the canned cabbage condiment if you want to maintain its characteristic flavor.

Sweeten Canned Sauerkrauts With Apples

Even a tart apple is sweeter than the sharp-tasting sauerkraut, and cooking brings out their sugars. The overall effect of the apple is to sweeten and mellow the sauerkraut in a supporting role without overpowering the sauerkraut's own flavor.

If you're pregnant or immunocompromised, you should avoid eating unpasteurized sauerkraut. If you take MAOIs, have blood pressure concerns, or have food intolerances or allergies, speak to your doctor before eating sauerkraut. Otherwise, sauerkraut is likely to be a nutritious and healthy addition to your diet.

Signs That Your Kraut Has Gone Bad

A big red flag when your kraut has gone bad is the smell- a weird off-smelling yeasty or moldy aroma. If it is emitting a strong odor, do not eat it and throw it away. In addition to the smell, if your kraut has become a different color or texture, throw it away.

Does sauerkraut help with constipation? ›

Sauerkraut also has a high fiber content that helps with constipation by making stools softer, and simultaneously increasing its mass and volume. This bulkiness makes for easier passage through the digestive tract and quicker elimination.

Sauerkraut can be eaten at any time of the day but consuming it early in the morning is considered the best time.

Anti-inflammatory effects

One 2021 review concluded that fermented foods such as sauerkraut could help promote greater gut bacteria diversity and protect against inflammation. Some animal research suggests that sauerkraut's anti-inflammatory effect may be due to reduced nitric oxide production.

The same “good” bugs that you enjoy in your yogurt, kraut, and kefir that promote smooth digestion and boost the immune system may also help diminish fat accumulation in the liver. Time to add fermented foods to the list of items that are good for the liver!

Sauerkraut can be added to soups and stews; cooked with stock, beer or wine; served with sausages or salted meats, and is especially good with smoked fish, like hot-smoked salmon.

Boosts immunity: Sauerkraut is abundant in vitamin C, which is vital for immune system support. One cup contains 21 mg of vitamin C, which is roughly 28% of your daily needs. Good source of vitamin K: Vitamin K supports bone and heart health.

One important issue to remember is that cooking sauerkraut will kill off the probiotic bacteria that we want to consume. Even after cooking, sauerkraut is a healthy, cabbage-based dish, but it will be missing out on that probiotic boost. So, when possible, try to add your sauerkraut to your dishes uncooked.

Raw sauerkraut can be enjoyed as is, by the forkful. Just take the jar out of the fridge, grab a fork, and enjoy the health benefits! Eat a forkful once or twice a day straight from the jar.